Second-placed Hoddesdon head to Shenley Village this Saturday looking to build on last weekend's battling draw against Welwyn Garden City and maintain their position firmly in the Herts Premier Cricket League Championship Division title race. With only two points separating Hoddesdon from third-placed Sawbridgeworth and North Mymms setting the early pace, every point is becoming increasingly valuable as the season approaches its halfway stage.

Saturday's trip to the Shenley Cricket Centre presents another significant examination for Rob Walters' side. Shenley currently occupy seventh place with 95 points and have proved throughout the campaign that they are capable of upsetting anyone on their day. Although their record of two wins, four defeats and one abandoned fixture perhaps does not leap off the page, several narrow losses suggest they have been far more competitive than the table alone might indicate.

Hoddesdon arrive at Radlett Lane sitting second in the Championship Division on 128 points, fourteen behind leaders North Mymms but two clear of Sawbridgeworth in third. Last weekend's drawn encounter with Welwyn Garden City may have seen the club surrender top spot, yet there was plenty to admire from a performance that demonstrated both resilience and determination under pressure.

HPCL Championship Division

After electing to field first at Lowfield, Hoddesdon found themselves confronted by a magnificent opening partnership worth 208 runs before eventually restricting Welwyn to 333-6 from their allotted 60 overs. Faced with a daunting target, the home side responded superbly as Himesh Ramanayake compiled a classy unbeaten 93 while Will Steward anchored the innings with an equally valuable undefeated 61. Their unbroken sixth-wicket partnership guided Hoddesdon safely to 250-5 and secured six precious bonus points that could yet prove invaluable come the closing weeks of the campaign.

That innings from Ramanayake was another reminder of his growing importance to every aspect of this Hoddesdon side. The Sri Lankan all-rounder has enjoyed an outstanding campaign with both bat and ball, and his unbeaten 93 now sits fifth on the club's list of highest individual scores this season across all competitions, behind Rob Walters' remarkable centuries against Sawbridgeworth, Preston and Dunstable together with Jamie Curtis' President's Day hundred.

Ramanayake's influence stretches well beyond his batting. He currently tops Hoddesdon's bowling averages with 14 wickets from 76 overs at an outstanding average of just 21.07 and an economy rate below four runs per over. His best figures of 4-30 came during the impressive victory at Sawbridgeworth, while his consistency has made him one of the most dependable performers in the entire Championship Division. Alongside him, Harry Mason continues to enjoy another exceptional season with the ball. Mason has collected 13 wickets at exactly 20.00, conceding barely four runs an over throughout the campaign. Between them, Ramanayake and Mason have claimed 27 wickets, providing Hoddesdon with arguably the best partnership in the division.

Himesh Ramanayake Continues To Impress

Captain Rob Walters has also contributed seven wickets despite carrying the considerable burden of opening the batting every week. Jamie Curtis has chipped in with five wickets from limited overs, while Om Thakeria's eight wickets continue to demonstrate the depth available within Hoddesdon's attack. Young Charlie Tackley has also impressed whenever called upon, taking two wickets on debut against Hemel two weeks ago.

With the bat, Walters remains the benchmark not only for Hoddesdon but for the division as a whole. Three centuries already this summer have underlined the skipper's extraordinary consistency, with innings of 158 against Sawbridgeworth, 124 at Preston and 102 versus Dunstable helping establish Hoddesdon as genuine title challengers. His appetite for big runs has repeatedly given his bowlers totals to defend and his leadership continues to set the standard throughout the dressing room. The supporting cast has developed impressively around him. Ramanayake's latest contribution has strengthened the middle order considerably, while Steward's composed unbeaten half-century last weekend illustrated precisely why he remains such a valuable presence. Few players combine patience and shot selection as effectively as the wicketkeeper-batter, and his ability to absorb pressure could prove particularly important on what is traditionally a testing Shenley surface.

Saturday's travelling squad also contains two of Hoddesdon's brightest young prospects in Johnny Munday and Charlie Tackley. Both players continue to gain valuable exposure within senior cricket, and the experience of competing in high-pressure Championship fixtures will only accelerate their development. Munday's selection reflects the confidence the club continues to place in its emerging talent, while Tackley's performances with the ball have already demonstrated that age is certainly no barrier to making an impact at this level.

Johnny Munday

Head of Cricket Louis Purves believes the club's commitment to youth remains one of its greatest strengths.

"Charlie and Johnny are exactly the type of players we want progressing through the club. They're talented, they work hard and they're learning every week alongside experienced senior cricketers. These are the sort of matches that help shape young careers, and we're excited to watch their continued development."

While Hoddesdon possess plenty of quality, Shenley have their own match-winners capable of deciding the contest.

Droo Pathak heads the home side's bowling statistics with an outstanding 17 wickets at an average below nineteen, including devastating figures of 6-15 earlier in the campaign. His economy rate of just 3.86 makes him one of the most difficult bowlers to score from anywhere in the Championship, and Hoddesdon's top order will know the importance of negotiating his opening spell successfully. Ali Naqvi provides excellent support with 15 wickets, while Kris Nissen has reached double figures with ten victims. Matt Stear has seven wickets, giving Shenley four bowlers capable of making significant breakthroughs if conditions offer assistance.

The batting presents several threats too. Seamus Meaker leads Shenley's aggregate with 263 runs at 32.88, narrowly ahead of Morgan Stanley's 233. Seamus is a first-grade player representing Sydney Cricket Club in the NSW Premier Cricket competition. He is a top order left-handed batsman, who likes to hit straight and has produced strong performances against high-quality opposition. Last season he amassed 680 runs, averaging 38, with a top score against Manly Warringah of 115. Halfway through the current Australian season he had already scored 339 runs including another century.

Shenley's Australian Left Hander, Seamus Meaker

Nish Selvakumar perhaps represents the biggest danger after producing an unbeaten 112 earlier this month despite playing only five innings. His average of 48.75 is comfortably the highest among Shenley's recognised batters and demonstrates the damage he can inflict once established. Recent form suggests Shenley remain unpredictable but dangerous. Two weeks ago they comfortably defeated Redbourn by seven wickets after chasing 205 inside just 32 overs, highlighting the explosive potential within their batting order. Last weekend they were beaten by fifty runs at Dunstable after being dismissed for 212 in pursuit of 263, although that result perhaps masks periods where they remained firmly in contention.

Captain Rob Walters knows Hoddesdon cannot afford any complacency despite the difference in league positions.

"There aren't any easy games in this division. Shenley have players capable of winning matches on their own, and we've got enormous respect for what they can do. We were pleased with the character we showed against Welwyn after being put under pressure, and now it's about taking that confidence into another tough away fixture."

The skipper also praised the growing resilience shown by his side throughout the opening weeks of the campaign.

"One of the pleasing things this season has been the different ways we've managed to compete. We've won games by defending totals, we've chased successfully and last week we showed we could dig in for a draw when the situation demanded it. Those experiences build confidence, and hopefully they'll continue to serve us well over the coming months."

Purves echoed those sentiments while emphasising the importance of maintaining momentum heading into the second half of the season.

"We're in a strong position, but nobody is getting carried away. The Championship is incredibly competitive, and every week presents another examination. The lads have trained well, spirits are high and there's a real belief throughout the squad, but we know we'll have to earn every point on Saturday."

The weather is likely to be one of the biggest talking points of the weekend, with Britain currently gripped by an intense heatwave that has pushed temperatures towards an extraordinary 40°C in some parts of the country. While Shenley is expected to be slightly cooler than the national hotspots, players, officials and spectators alike will still face a demanding afternoon in temperatures well into the low to mid 30's. Hydration, fitness and concentration are likely to become just as important as batting technique and bowling discipline, particularly as the game progresses into the hottest part of the afternoon. Captains will need to manage their bowlers carefully, regular drinks breaks will be essential, and maintaining energy levels over the course of a long day could ultimately prove just as decisive as any individual performance with bat or ball.

For Hoddesdon, the objective remains straightforward. Build upon last weekend's resilient performance, continue accumulating valuable Championship points and keep applying pressure to North Mymms at the summit. Victory would strengthen their title credentials considerably, but equally important will be maintaining the consistency that has characterised an excellent start to the campaign. With Walters leading from the front, Ramanayake producing match-winning performances in both disciplines, Steward finding form, Mason continuing his impressive work with the ball and youngsters like Tackley and Munday gaining valuable experience, Hoddesdon travel to Shenley with every reason to believe another productive afternoon awaits.

Match Details

Competition: Herts Premier Cricket League Championship Division
Fixture: Shenley Village CC 1st XI v Hoddesdon CC 1st XI
Venue: Shenley Cricket Centre, Radlett Lane, Shenley, WD7 9DW
Date: Saturday 27 June 2026
Start: 11:00am